Posting tray



' Oct. 11, 1932. v. w. GIDEON POSTING TRAY Filed Dec. 14. 192'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 V. W. GIDEON POSTING-TRAY Filed Dec. 14, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ev E: Icn

Vision W Gideon Oct. 11, 1932. v. w. GIDEON 1,881,476

POSTING TRAY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 14. 1927 VioZav Gz'dam Y ye:

' '15 and Patented Get. 11, 1932 entree stares P TEN ,o FFicE vroron w. GIDEOIL- or CHICAGO, rLLIno s, AS SIGNOR TO WILSON JONES ooinrnmnn COBPORATIONDF MASSACHUSETTS POSTING TRAY Application filed December 14, 1927. Serial No. 239,882.

This invention relates to a postingtray of that type involving a drop side whereby the sheets may be offset, and it is an object of this invention, in connection with this type of tray, to provide an improved form of follower which can be easily and quickly operated, and with an improved'form of drop board for limiting oflset movement of the sheets. The posting tray also'embodies other novel features of construction which will be pointed out as the description proceeds.

This invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more defined in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings5 which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in whichsimilar reference numerals refer to similar features in the differ ent views:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a posting tray involving this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevatio'nal View ofthe posting tray.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon line IHIII of Figure 2 with the drop side in its lowered position to illustrate the manner of offsetting the sheets.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the tray.

Figure 5 is an enlargedsectional View taken on the line VV of Figure 4. 1

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary interior elevational view of the locking means for the drop side.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the line VHVII of Figure 4. s v

Figure Sis an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the line VIHVIII of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially uponthe line IXIX of Figure 7 I I I Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line XX of Figure 6. a

' The posting tray involving this invention is in the form of a metal boxcomprising the ends 1 which areprovided with suitable handles 2 whereby the tray may be'easily car- 63 ried and handled. The tray box has a rigid channel members have bolts 7 welded to the particularly pointed out 'suitable clips 14 rows of ratchet teeth 13a side 3 and drop side 4. The sides and-ends of the box-like structure are adapted to be secured or welded to suitable corner posts 5 which are formed of sheet-metal in the mannershown in Figure '10. I

The base of the tray is formed by a pair of longitudinally extending channel members 6 which may be covered with some soft material or fabric in order to avoid the scratching of the furniture when the tray is in use. These interior of the webs. WVith reference to Figure 5, it will be noted that these bolts 7 have longflatfeet,-a11d these feet are welded to the webs of the channel members. Upon the lower interior margin of each side of the box there is welded an agle member 8 (Figure 8). That portion of the bottom of the tray which forms the sheet support consists of suitable plate members 9, 9 which are superposed over the top flanges of the angles 8, and the bolts 7 of the channel members extend through the top flange of the angle members 8 and the plates 9 as shown in Figure 8. The inner edges of the plates 9 aresufiioiently spaced apart to provide a suitable passage .for the follower. A runway 10 for the follower is provided below the said passageQ It will be noted that this runway 10- consists of a sheet-metal casing having upwardly di rected sides terminating in attaching flanges 11 which-are securedto the bottom of the plates 9 by welding or the like. In addition, on the bottom of the plates 9, as shown in Figure 3, may extend under the attaching flanges. It will be noted that the h sides of the runway are spaced apart a greater distance than the passage between the plates 9 whereby the plates9 form ledges overhanging the longitudinal margins of the runway for a purpose'th'at will later appear.

In the bottom of the runway, there is a Suitable rack 13 which is provided with two which slope in the direction of the operative movement of the 35 follower. i

At one end of the tray, a pair of lugs 14integral with clips (Figure 7) extend from the plates 9, only one of which is shown. A

swinging leaf 15 is hinged to the lugs 14 by .100

means of a suitable rod 16. At the same end of the tray, there is an inwardly extending ledge 17 at the top thereof, and the swinging leaf 15 is connected to the ledge 17 by means of a pair of toggle plates 18. These toggle plates are hinged at their adjacent ends, as indicated .at 19, and the outer ends thereof are respectively hin ed to the swingtical position.

ing plate and the ledge 1 as indicated at 20 and 21. I j

g A coil spring 22 surrounds a hinge pintle 20 and its ends bear against the plate 15 and the adjacent toggle plate 18. The lower outer toggle plate .18 is provided with a pair of finger pieces 23 for eifecting manual operation of the toggle plates, It is, therefore, evident that in changing the plate 15 from one position to the other, for example, from its upright position to its inclined position, the toggle must be initially operated by hand. When, however, the toggle plates are moved to a predetermined position, the

spring 22 will come into action and snap the plate to its inclined position. Obviously, the same action will take place in moving the late 15 from its inclined position to its ver- The downward flexing movement' of the toggle plates is' prevented by a pair of plates 24 (Figure 4) which are attachedto the outer toggle plate and overlap the inner toggle plate. These overlapping limiting plates 24 carry the aforementioned finger pieces 23.

' A movable follower cooperates with the plate 15 for holding sheets therebetween.

This follower consists of a pair of rails 25 (Figure 8) which extend beneath the ledges l formed by plates 9 and which are supported at both ends by suitable rollers 26 which travel upon the runway 10 beneath theledges. At one end of the rails 25 are upwardly extending flanges 27 best shown in Figure 8, to which the sides 28 of a sheet-metal support 29 are attached. This sheet-metal support has a straight back 30 and the front edges of the sides thereof slope rearwardly and upwardly and have an inclined plate 31 attached thereto. Upon the bottom edge of the inclined plate 31 there is hinged a compression plate 32, and this compression plate is connected to the upper end of the inclined plate 31 by means of a pair of toggle plates 33 and 34 in a manner similar to the firstdescribed toggle plates in connection with the compression plate 15. A plate 35 is secured to the toggle plate 34 and overlaps the toggle plate 33. This plate 35 is provided with finger-pieces 36 for, operating the toggle plates. 7

Housed within the sheet-metal support 29 there'is a sliding detent 37 which, is in the form of a plate having its lower end bifurcated as shown in Figure 8, and having its end edges engaging the rack teeth 13.

adapted to be actuated by a handle 40. which is attached to the detent plate, as indicated at 41. Above the detent plate 37 the handle 40-is outwardly offset as shown in Figures 7 "and 8, and overlaps the rear wall of the hollow support 29, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8. It might be mentioned that the upper portion of the wall of the hollow support 29 is bifurcated as indicated at 43 in order to allow the operating handle for the detent to be outwardly offset.

The drop side 40f the tray carries a springimpel'ledlatch 44 (Figure 6) which is adapted for entering a notch 45 (Figure 10) in one of the corner posts of the tray. The operating end of this latch is bent at an angle and connected to an operating lever 46 which is pivoted in an enlargement 47 upon the outer side of the drop side, as shown in Figure 2. The lever 46 is pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at 48, and a second latch member 49 is connected to the lever at a point diametrically opposite to the connection of the latch 44. The construction is such that when the outer end of the lever 46 is elevated the latches will be withdrawn from the locking recesses in the corners of the posts.

The aforementioned drop side 4 is provided with a swingable abutment 50 which is hinged at a suitable point intermediate the top and bottom of the side, as shown in Figures 3 and 8. This swing-able abutment 50 is adapted to lie flat against the interior of the drop side when the drop side is in vertical position. It might be mentioned that the drop side 4 has an angular member 51 (Fig ures 4 and 5) adjacent each end. The lower end of member 51 has a. projection 52 adapted to extend into an aperture 54 in the adjacent plate 9 when the drop side is in vertical position. This projection 52 is provided with a lateral hook-shaped offset 53, with the result that when the drop side is swung downwardvertical position with respect to its side, as

shown in Figure 8, the foot piece 56 will engage the drop side for stopping the swing of the abutment 50 at its vertical position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 8. The spring 55 exercises sufiicient pressure on the foot piece to maintain the swingable abutment 50 in either its operative or inoperative position.

In the use of this tray for posting pur- :bottom thereof with,ledges extending over poses, it may be desirable to offset certain sheets. In such a case, the lever 46 is operated to unlatch the drop side which may then be swung outwardly until the hook-shaped projections 53 engage the inner sides of the posts 5 and support the drop side in horizontal position. The swingable abutment 50, which is in the form of a plate hinged to the inner side of the drop plate, may then be swung to the position shown in Figure 3, in which position it is supported against outward movement by the aforementioned foot piece 56 which rests against the drop side. With the tray in this position, the sheets may be offset against the stop plate or abutment.

50 as shown in Figure 3. When the posting operation is completed and the sheets are again returned to the body portion of the tray, it may be desirable to compress the same. In such event it is only necessary to push the follower forwardly, the detent riding easily over the ratchet teeth. It might be mentioned that when it is desired to unclamp the sheets between the two compression members, it will be necessary to elevate the looking detent so that the followed can he slid in the opposite direction to the fixed compression member.

It will be appreciated that on account of the rollers that support the follower and the ease with which the detent will ride over the ratchet teeth when the follower is moved to ward compressive posit on very little dii'iiculty will arise in moving the follower to compressive position. The operation can be very easily and quickly performed and is a vast improvement over followers heretofore used. It will also be appreciated that n providing a limiting stop upon the inner side ofthe drop side, which limiting stop is swung downwardly alongside of the drop side when the same is in vert cal position and which may be moved at right-angles when the drop side is in its horizontal position, a novel and more eflicient device is obtained than other devices of this character.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a'wide range without departing from the principles of this invention. and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as invention:

1. In a posting tray having a runway with ledges projecting over said runway, a follower comprising rails in said runway and having rollers engaging beneath said ledges,

and cooperating. latching members between "said follower and runway;- said members easily sliding overleach other when said follower is moved toward compressing-position and automatically locking when said follower is moved to; its :operative. position 2; A posting tray having a'runway in the said runway, in r-combination with a follower having members in said runway andhaving-rollers engaging beneath said ledges for the purpose setforthl 8. In a posting tray having'a runway with ledgeseX-tending. over. the margins of said runway; a followercomprisinga pair of rails 5; In a posting tray, a follower compris ing a rolling base and an upright support embodying an inclined rest, a compression plate hinged to the bottom of said rest, a pair of toggle plates connecting the upper portion of said rest with said compression plate, and:

means for manually flexing said toggle plates.

6. In a posting tray comprising a box having a body portion with a runway extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of ledges overhanging the lateral margins of said runway, a follower having roller supports located in said runway beneath said overhanging ledges, and cooperating members bet-ween said follower and runway for locking said follower against movement in one direction.

7. A posting tray having a runway in the bottom thereof with ledges extending over said runway, in combination with a follower having rollers travelling upon the bottom of said runway beneath said ledges, a detent carried by the follower and means below the upper surface of said ledges adapted for cooperating with said detent for latching the follower in adjusted position.

8. A posting tray having a bottom with a substantially central longitudinally extending runway, ledges on the bottom of the tray overhanging the runway, in combination with a follower having rollers traveling on the bottom of the runway and located beneath said overhanging ledges.

9. A tray having a bottom composed of spaced members and a runway beneath said spaced members and spanning the space therebetween, said spaced members over- ISO hanging portions of said runway in combination with a follower having rollers in said runway and located beneath said overhanging portions and adapted for travelling upon the bottom of said runway. I V

10. In a posting tray, a bottom composed of spaced members, a runway member beneath said spaced members and spannin the space therebetween, said spaced mem ers overhanging portions of said runway member, a follower in said tray having side rollers adapted for travelling upon said runway member beneath said overhanging portions,

a detent carried by said follower; and means on one of said members for cooperating with said detent for latching said follower in adjusted position.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

' VICTOR W. GIDEON. 

